Israel & Jordan 2023: Goodbye Israel, Hello Jordan
On day 9 of the vacation, we rode out of Jerusalem and to the Jordanian border - our last time with Simon, the tour manager in Israel. To stave off boredom, he led an impromptu sing-along.
This would just be my second overland crossing (the first being Singapore to Malaysia). The bus idled on this spot for quite a bit; later we found out that the delay was caused by an unknown VIP crossing the border. We were not privvy of the VIP's country or the destination, just that a VIP crossed the border so we all had to wait.
The good thing about being in a group tour is that you really don't have to think about so many things when crossing the border, you just follow the tour director/manager and present the correct documentation and you're a go. I believed some people also got to redeem VAT for their purchases.
I remember getting really impatient here because it was taking too long for us to get on to the Jordan bus. We saw our luggage being carted off the Israel bus and wheeled somewhere else and since Simon could no longer accompany us once we went through Immigration we were a bit confused, asking each other if any among us heard any instructions. The funny thing is there were about 5 buses with our Tour Company name on it, so we don't know which one is ours.
Finally we got to board the new bus, but no tour director/manager in sight - just the driver. As we drove away from the border, we saw armed soldiers on tanks lining the streets. I got nervous because of the presence of war reminders out in the open. It was later on that we found out that they were part of the security for the unnamed VIP that crossed the border.
The bus stopped at a spot with single level building structures and then our youthful tour director Hussein got in and the first thing we all asked was, "What's the wi-fi password?"
After processing our passports here, we were off to the first hotel in Jordan, which turned out to be a really fancy hotel (in my estimation) with a private beach on the Dead Sea.
Wild camels roaming the streets.
Chili Ways, a fastfood restaurant, just outside of the hotel, about a 15 minute walk.
On the drive to the hotel, we were informed that due to the delay in crossing the border, the schedule for today had to be shaken a bit. Whatever was scheduled activity today (in the A.M) had to be shelved for another day. I think to give the tour director/manager time to fix the rest of the schedule or itinerary, we were given a day off so to speak. A day off touring is just what the doctor ordered, I believe, because the ones I spoke with needed this chill time.
This was the chance to have more beach time. And we were told that the beach here (because it's private) was well-maintained, clean, and just better than the Kalia Beach that we went to the day before, on the Israel side.
There was a long walk to the beach. Along the way, cats happen. There were plenty of cats in the grounds. I hope that they were fed by the workers here. I definitely know that we (me and my tour mates) fed them.
There were attendants to help you take photos, or assist in whatever needs assisting. Also on the beach, there's large jar containing Dead Sea mud so you don't need to scrape mud off the sea like what we did on the Israel side.
Pool/jacuzzi time followed beach time.
After a proper shower and rest, it was time for sunset watching over the Dead Sea.
There's time for souvenir shots.
Around 6 pm, we met Hussein for a brief Welcome to Jordan meeting, where he laid out what is expected of the tour, of the tourists, etc, etc. Afterwards, it was time to think about dinner. There was a restaurant in the hotel, but we were hankering for some good old fastfood, greasy and yummy. And so together with another couple we walked the dimly lit street (we felt totally safe, there were kids playing on the main street at night) and and tried Chili ways for the first time (and probably the last).
The menu.
My husband went for the shawerma burger (their version of cheesesteak) and I went for the unimaginative regular beef burger with fries on the side. Just to let you know, my burger was okay, while his shawerma burger tasted funny to me.
And so the first full day in Jordan happened.
This would just be my second overland crossing (the first being Singapore to Malaysia). The bus idled on this spot for quite a bit; later we found out that the delay was caused by an unknown VIP crossing the border. We were not privvy of the VIP's country or the destination, just that a VIP crossed the border so we all had to wait.
The good thing about being in a group tour is that you really don't have to think about so many things when crossing the border, you just follow the tour director/manager and present the correct documentation and you're a go. I believed some people also got to redeem VAT for their purchases.
I remember getting really impatient here because it was taking too long for us to get on to the Jordan bus. We saw our luggage being carted off the Israel bus and wheeled somewhere else and since Simon could no longer accompany us once we went through Immigration we were a bit confused, asking each other if any among us heard any instructions. The funny thing is there were about 5 buses with our Tour Company name on it, so we don't know which one is ours.
Finally we got to board the new bus, but no tour director/manager in sight - just the driver. As we drove away from the border, we saw armed soldiers on tanks lining the streets. I got nervous because of the presence of war reminders out in the open. It was later on that we found out that they were part of the security for the unnamed VIP that crossed the border.
The bus stopped at a spot with single level building structures and then our youthful tour director Hussein got in and the first thing we all asked was, "What's the wi-fi password?"
After processing our passports here, we were off to the first hotel in Jordan, which turned out to be a really fancy hotel (in my estimation) with a private beach on the Dead Sea.
Wild camels roaming the streets.
Chili Ways, a fastfood restaurant, just outside of the hotel, about a 15 minute walk.
On the drive to the hotel, we were informed that due to the delay in crossing the border, the schedule for today had to be shaken a bit. Whatever was scheduled activity today (in the A.M) had to be shelved for another day. I think to give the tour director/manager time to fix the rest of the schedule or itinerary, we were given a day off so to speak. A day off touring is just what the doctor ordered, I believe, because the ones I spoke with needed this chill time.
This was the chance to have more beach time. And we were told that the beach here (because it's private) was well-maintained, clean, and just better than the Kalia Beach that we went to the day before, on the Israel side.
There was a long walk to the beach. Along the way, cats happen. There were plenty of cats in the grounds. I hope that they were fed by the workers here. I definitely know that we (me and my tour mates) fed them.
There were attendants to help you take photos, or assist in whatever needs assisting. Also on the beach, there's large jar containing Dead Sea mud so you don't need to scrape mud off the sea like what we did on the Israel side.
Pool/jacuzzi time followed beach time.
After a proper shower and rest, it was time for sunset watching over the Dead Sea.
There's time for souvenir shots.
Around 6 pm, we met Hussein for a brief Welcome to Jordan meeting, where he laid out what is expected of the tour, of the tourists, etc, etc. Afterwards, it was time to think about dinner. There was a restaurant in the hotel, but we were hankering for some good old fastfood, greasy and yummy. And so together with another couple we walked the dimly lit street (we felt totally safe, there were kids playing on the main street at night) and and tried Chili ways for the first time (and probably the last).
The menu.
My husband went for the shawerma burger (their version of cheesesteak) and I went for the unimaginative regular beef burger with fries on the side. Just to let you know, my burger was okay, while his shawerma burger tasted funny to me.
And so the first full day in Jordan happened.
Wifi password is life! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-trip-to-library.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteSo exotic and such a wake up call with soldiers on tanks and such. I love the sunset and the beach and what a deluxe hotel.
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing place, Beautiful pics. Cat pic lovely.
ReplyDelete...fast food has taken over the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us on the tour. It's great fun. I love that wild camels roam free.
ReplyDeletelove the Dead sea shots
ReplyDeleteLovely series of photos of your Jordan tour ~ lovely beach and sweet kitty photo ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Sounds like a wild border crossing! Glad the wait was worth it with a fancy Dead Sea hotel and private beach. Shawarma burger sounds interesting - maybe an acquired taste?
ReplyDelete